Histological Examination of the Effects of Low-Level Laser Therapy on Healing of Gingiva After Gingivectomy in Rats

ABSTRACTLasers in dentistry find an increasing usage in recent years. The aim of this study was to assess the effects of low-level laser therapy (LLLT) on healing of gingiva after gingivectomy in rats. Forty-two male Wistar rats, 250 g to 300 g in weight, were used in this study. Gingivectomy was made to gingiva of mandibular incisors in all rats. The rats were divided into: group 1 (control group, non-irridated), and group 2 (experimental group, irridation-treated). After gingivectomy, a low-level laser therapy (LLLT) was applied to the side of the operation area. Treatment using a GaAlAs laser at a wavelength of 940 nm and a dose of 10 J/cm2 began after surgery and was repeated on the 2nd, 4th and 6th day post-surgery. Seven animals from each group were sacrificed on the 7th, 14th and 21st day after surgery. Biopsies were performed for histological analysis. In the laser-treated grup, the histopathological findings revealed increased mitotic activity of fibroblasts and collogen synthesis on the 7th day,...